Adjustable kiln setter



April 14, 1959 R. DOPERA ADJUSTABLE- KILN SETTER Filed Nov. 10, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l 7 a v r. W

B0004 p .D aPEe/n I N V EN TOR.

BY 4"rams April 14, 1959 R. DOPE'RA ADJUSTABLE KILN SETTER Filed Nov. 10, 1955' 2 Sheets-Shae}, 2

IN V EN TOR. R0001. px-l BOP/59,4

I Emm s ADJUSTABLE KlLN SETTER Rudolph Dopera, El Monte, Calif.

Application November 10, 1955, Serial No. 546,199

3 Claims. (Cl. 25-453) and expense since the buttons must be set in appropriate places on the kiln setters by hand and since they are frequently lost and must be replaced due to the fact that they are not operatively secured to the setters with which they are associated.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a kiln setter formed of ceramic material, or the like, which incorporates a plurality of adjustable stilts or supporting members, said adjustable supporting members being movable upon said setter to permit them to be located in any one of a plurality of positions to accommodate articles to be fired which are of ditferent sizes and shapes. The supporting members of the kiln setter are removable from operative relationship therewith, but are, when once installed in operative relationship, not releasable therefrom without considerable manipulation and, therefore, the loss of the supporting members is avoided. Moreover, since the supporting members are movable in predetermined paths with relationship to the kiln setter with which they are associated, the time and efiort customarily expended in the location and adjustment of conventional buttons is eliminated.

During the firing of ceramic articles in a kiln, it is customary to superimpose one kiln setter upon the other so that a plurality of articles may be fired at once within the kiln. Manifestly, where the conventional buttons are utilized, some difficulty is encountered in maintaining said buttons in their selected locations on the kiln setter since they are not operatively connected thereto and it frequently happens that the buttons are dislodged 'from their supporting relationship with the article disposed thereupon with the result that the glaze or surface of the article is impaired during the firing process.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a kiln setter of the aforementioned character wherein the supporting members, in addition to being adjustable to any one of a plurality of positions to accommodate articles of diiferent sizes and shapes, are also provided with detent means co-operative with adjacent areas of the setter, said detent means serving to maintain the supporting members in the position selected so that dislodgment of said supportng members involuntarily will not occur and so that the article supported thereupon will be adequately supported during the firing process and during any movement of the kiln setter with the article supported thereupon. I y

An additional object of my invention is the provision United States Patent of a kiln setter of the aforementioned character where'- in the aforementioned supporting members are provided with protuberances thereupon, said protuberances being receivable in adjacent recesses on contiguous areas of the kiln setter to prevent inadvertent movement of the supporting members after they have been located in a desired position of adjustment.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a kiln setter of the aforementioned character wherein the aforesaid supporting members are located in grooves or slots provided in the kiln setter and wherein said supporting members are removable from operative relationship with said slots to permit the replacement thereof if such replacement becomes necessary. However, unless deliberate removal of the supporting members from said slots or grooves is desired and accomplished by deliberate manipulation of the supporting members, the supporting members will ordinarily remain in operative relationship with said grooves or slots and cannot be inadvertently dislodged therefrom.

During the firing of ceramic articles in a kiln, glaze drips from said articles and, where metallic supporting pins are utilized, would stain the articles below.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a kiln setter of the aforementioned character wherein the grooves or recesses for receiving the supporting members are provided with elongated troughs for the reception of contaminated glaze, and wherein said glaze may be drained to a common discharge point so that excessive accumulations thereof in the kiln setters will be prevented.

The use of the setter of my invention permits a much greater space saving than is possible with conventional saggers and thus a larger number of articles can be fired in a kiln at one time.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a kiln setter of the aforementioned character wherein the supporting members incorporated in the grooves provided thereupon are provided with upwardly directed, metallic supporting prongs having relatively fine upper extremities engageable with contiguous areas of the articles supported thereupon, thus eliminating the wide area contact characteristic of the conventional buttons and preventing the adherence of the surface or glaze of the article supported thereupon thereto.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the purpose of illustration only and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the kiln setter of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse, sectional view taken on the broken line 2-2 of Fig. l; i

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a supporting member formed from sheet metal and adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the kiln setter shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken on the broken line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view of an alternative construction of a supporting member adapted to be utilized in conjunction with the kiln setter of my invention;

Fig. 6 shows the manner in which a demountable, metal supporting prong can be removed from operative relationship with a supporting member incorporated in the kiln setter of my invention;

Fig. 7 shows another form of the supporting member;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the kiln setter of my invention;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view on the broken line 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the kiln setter of my invention;

taken Fig. '11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken on the broken line 1111 of Fig.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary view taken on the broken ,line 12-12 of Fig. 10

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one .of the supporting members to be utilized in conjunction With the kiln setter of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is another 'form of supporting member.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. '14 thereof, I show akiln setter 1'0 constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention, said kiln setter being formed of ceramic material adapted to be exposed to high temperatures and including a body 12, said body beingprovided with a plurality of radiating legs 14 which are :adapted to be disposed beneath an object formed from ceramic material which is to be fired in a kiln.

Formed in each of the radiating legs 14 of the kiln setter '10 is an elongated slot or groove 16, said slot or groove being defined by inwardly and angularly oriented side walls 18, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, for a purpose which will be described in greater detail below. The bottom wall 20 of each of the grooves 16 has a plurality of depressions 22 formed therein which are equally spaced from each other and which are adapted to ,serve as .detent means, in a manner to be described in greater detail below.

The depressions 22 can be 'formed in the bottom wall 20, as shown in the left-hand leg 14 of the stilt 10, or can "be formed, as best shown and exemplified in the vertically oriented, intermediate leg in Fig. 1 of the drawings, in areas of the upper surface of the stilt which are contiguous to the groove 16. In this case, the depressions are constituted 'by recesses or notches 24 formed in the opposite edges of the groove 16. As shown on the intermediate leg 14, the notches 24 can be serially numbered to facilitate the location of supporting members in the grooves 16. It will be noted that, as best shown in Fig. -1 of the drawings, the inner ends of the grooves 16 communicate one with the other and that there is disposed in the bottom of each of the grooves an elongated, glaze channel or gutter 26, said glaze channel or gutter being adapted to receive contaminated glaze which drips from an article disposed upon the setter during the firing process.

To discharge the glaze accumulated in the glaze channels or gutters 26 of the individual grooves 16, there is provided a drain opening 28 adjacent the intersection of the inner ends of the grooves 16 and excessive glaze draining from articles being fired in the kiln and supported upon the setter can thus be drained therefrom.

Formed on the other extremity on the underside of each of the legs 14 is a foot member 30, said foot member being adapted to engage the upper surface of the leg of an adjacent kiln setter so that the kiln setters 10 may be supported, one upon the other, and may also be maintained in spaced relationship with each other. On the upper surface of one of the legs, in the present instance the left-hand leg, as best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is provided an index lug 32, said lug being insertible in an indexing opening 34 which is provided in the lower extremity of one of the feet 30 on an adjacent setter 10. The provision of the indexing lugs 32 and openings 34 on the setters 10 manufactured in accordance with the teachings of my invention insures the lateral stability of a group of superimposed setters since the lugs 32 are seated in the openings 34 and tend to resist lateral shifting of the setters in respect to one another when they are superimposed one upon the other.

There is provided in each of the grooves 16 an adjustable supporting means or stilts 36, the adjustable supporting means '36 in the intermediate leg 14 between the right and left-hand legs 14, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawbeing constituted by a sheet metal supporting member 38, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, having sloping side walls 40 adapted to register with the side walls 18 of the groove 16 in which it is located. Formed integrally with, and stamped out of the sloping side walls 40 of the supporting member 38 are laterally projecting detent lugs 42, said lugs being adapted to engage in the detent notches 24 formed in the opposite edges of the groove 16, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Therefore, the supporting means 36 can be raised slightly in the groove 16 to release the detent lugs 42 from operative engagement with a pair of notches 24 and to permit the supporting means 36 to move along the groove .16 to a desired point at which the supporting means 36 can be lowered in the groove 16 and the detent lugs 36 engaged with oppositely disposed detent notches 24.

Formed integrally with and projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the member 38 is a support prong 46, said support prong being substantially conical in configuration and being adapted to support, on its upper extremity, a dish or other ceramic article.

Mounted in operative relationship with the groove 16 in the left-hand leg 14 of the kiln setter 10 is another embodiment of the supporting means 36 which is, as best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, constituted by a supporting member 50, said supporting member having outwardly flaring side walls 52 conforming substantially, in angle of inclination, to the similarly flaring and inclined side walls 18 of the groove 16 in which it is located. Thus, the relationship between the body of the supporting member '50 and its associated groove 16 is a dovetail relationship and once the supporting member 50 is installed in its associated groove, it cannot fail or be inadvertently removed from operative relationship therewith.

The body of the supporting member 50 is formed from ceramic material such .as china clay, or the like, and there is provided upon the underside thereof an integral rib 54, the opposite extremities of which are engageable with the oppositely disposed detent notches 22 in the bottom 20 of the groove 16 in which the supporting member 50 is located. Mounted in the upper surface of the supporting member 50 is a nickle steel pin 56 having a sharply pointed upper extremity adapted to engage upon the surface of a ceramic article being fired in a kiln and adapted to resist the high temperatures encountered in kilns. A glaze gutter 58 is provided in the upper surface of the supporting member 50 in order to drain from said upper surface excess glaze which drips from contiguous areas of the article being fired onto said upper surface.

Shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings is another embodiment of the supporting means 36 which is essentially similar in construction to the embodiment of Fig. 5, with the exception that there is provided in the supporting member 60 of Fig. 6 a centrally located, threaded socket 62 which is designed for the reception of the threaded lower extremity of a nickle steel supporting pin 64. Therefore, when the pin 64 becomes worn, another pin can be substituted for the same after it has been unthreaded from its associated socket 62 and there is no necessity for discarding the entire supporting member 60.

Another supporting member 70 constituting the supporting means '36 of my invention is shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, said supporting member 70 being distinguishable from those previously discussed hereinabove by the fact that .the body 72 of the supporting member 70 is of much greater height than the other embodiments of the supporting means 36 of the invention so that the nickle steel supporting pin 74 incorporated in the upper extremity thereof will space an article supported thereupon a greater distance above the setter 10 in which the supporting member .70 is located.

The supporting means .36 of the kiln setter 10 are inserted at the intersections of the grooves 16 in .said setter and, onceginserted in said grooves, are not separable'therefrom until returned to said intersection. In utilizing the setter 10 of my invention, when a relatively small article is to be firedQthe support ing means 36 can beadjusted inwardly toward the intersection of the grooves 16 :'and maintained in said positions of adjustment by the engagement of the detent means constituted by the ribs .54 or the lugs 42 with associated detent notches 22 or detent depressions 24. Thus, the supporting means 36 will be maintained in predetermined positions of adjustment with respect to each other and with respect to the 'the arms 14 of the kiln setter so that they may engage the outer extremities of the ceramic articles and thus I support the same most adequately. The individual kiln setters 10 are disposable in superimposed relationship and, when so disposed, the indexing lug 32 on one leg of each of the setters engages in the indexing opening 34 which is to be found on the registered leg of the kiln setter disposed immediately below.

i Contaminated glaze which drips from the article being fired during the firing process and accumulates in the grooves 16 or on the supporting members 36 is drained in the glaze gutters 26 toward the centrally located opening 28 at the intersections of the grooves 16 and thus the accumulation of glaze in the grooves 16 which would prevent free movement of the supporting members 36 therein is obviated. If desired, the gutters 26 and the grooves 16 can be covered with a kiln wash to prevent the adherence of glaze thereupon.

Another embodiment of the kiln setter of my invention is exemplified in a kiln setter 80, best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, said kiln setter having a substantially semi-circular body 82 formed from ceramic material such as china clay or the like and having a U-shaped rib 84 formed thereupon, from the opposite ends of which project inwardly oriented grooves 86, a similar groove 86 being provided in the bight of the U-shaped rib 84. The function of the grooves 86 is identical with that of the grooves 16 of the previously discussed kiln setter 10, said grooves being adapted for the reception of supporting means 36 having upwardly directed nickle steel pins 56 for supporting a ceramic object 88 to be fired in a kiln.

The supporting means 36 are movable in their associated slots 86 inwardly and outwardly to accommodate ceramic articles of dilferent dimensions and they, therefore, function in substantially the same manner as they did in the previous embodiment of the kiln setter 10 disclosed hereinabove.

The inner extremities of the grooves 86 are enlarged, as at 90, to permit the supporting means 36 to be removed from, or installed in, the grooves 86. Moreover, there is formed in the upper surface of the kiln setter and, more particularly, at the bight of the U-shaped rib 84, a detent lug 92, said lug being adapted to engage in a detent opening 94 provided upon one of the feet 96 on the underside of the setter 80. Therefore, when the kiln setters 80 are superimposed, one upon the other, as best shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the detent lug 92 is received within the detent opening 94 in the kiln setter 80 disposed above it so that the kiln setters are maintained in operative relationship with one another.

In order to increase the safety factor, I provide a vertical opening or bore 98 in each of the kiln setters in any desired location, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 4, said bore being adapted for the reception of a key rod 102, as best shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, said key rod being inserted through coincident openings 98 in superimposed setters 80 and thus serving to maintain said setters in operative relationship and to prevent the stack of setters from being dislodged from operative relationship with one another when being wheeled or moved on trucks to or within the kilns.

Figs. l0 and 11 of the drawings.

bottom wall supporting Formed in the bottom of each of the grooves 86 is a glaze drain 104 whose lower extremity, as best shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, communicates with a continuous glaze gutter 106 which, in turn, communicates with a drain opening 108 so that contaminated glaze dripping from the ceramic article being fired will be drained therefrom to a point external to the stack of kiln setters and will not drain upon the surface of a ceramic article disposed on the kiln setter below.

Another embodiment of my invention is exemplified in a kiln setter 110, said kiln setter including a substantially circular body 112 having a plurality of radiating arms 114 provided thereupon. The kiln setter can be formed from ceramic or any other material which is resistant to heat and the circular body portion 112 thereof defines a cup-like recess 116 on the bottom wall of which is provided a plurality of grooves 118 for the reception of adjustable supporting means 36, as best shown in Therefore, the supporting means 36 located in the grooves 118 can be adjusted to accommodate articles of diiferent sizes within a relatively small range. There are also secured to the buttons 120 which are provided with upwardly directed, vertically oriented nickle steel pins 122 which are adapted to engage upon an object to be fired but which are not adjustable with respect to said object.

In order to accommodate ceramic articles of larger size, grooves 124 are provided in the radiating arms 114, said grooves being adapted to accommodate adjustable supporting means 36 in the same maner as previously described hereinabove and also incorporating detent notches 126 which will locate the adjustable supporting means in operative relationship with its associated groove.

The radiating legs 114 are provided with downwardly extending feet 128 and one of the feet is provided with a detent lug 130 thereupon which engages a detent opening 132 formed in the adjacent upper surface of the leg 114 of an adjacent kiln setter 110.

Glaze gutters 134 are formed in each of the grooves 114 and communicate at their inner extremities with a glaze gutter 136 encompassing the circular body 112 of the setter 110. Therefore, the setter 110 is uniquely adapted for use in supporting ceramic articles within a large range of different sizes from the very smallest to the relatively large and, therefore, would have great utility in a plant where there were customarily manufactured articles of such different sizes.

Also provided in the arms 114 are triangular-shaped recesses 144 located in the upper surfaces thereof. Insertible in the recesses 144 are sticks or supporting members 146 constituted by relatively short lengths of ceramic material and the supporting members can be inserted in different recesses 144 in order to accommodate ceramic articles of different sizes. Because of the height of the setter 110, the lengths of the sticks 146 are reduced thus resulting in a considerable saving in material.

Shown in Fig. 14 is an alternative adjustable supporting member wherein a base 150 is provided with a triangular opening 152 for receiving a demountable stick 154.

By the utilization of my invention it is possible to make tremendous savings in time and labor since time previously expended in inserting the conventional ceramic buttons on conventional kiln setters is eliminated. Moreover, the cost of replacing the ceramic buttons is obviated since the supporting means associated with the kiln setter of my invention are maintained in operative relationship therewith until voluntarily separated therefrom. Moreover, the incorporation in the kiln setters of my invention of glaze drain gutters and collecting means prevents the glaze from one ceramic article from dripping upon the one below and thus injuring the surface thereof. Also of importance is the provision of a variety of unique supporting members which constitute the adjustable support means of the kiln setter of my invention.

sociated therewith in predetermined positions of adjust- :ment so that no disorientation of the previously adjusted supporting means is possible.

Other advantages of the invention have been made apparent from the specification describing thesame.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a kiln support, the combination of: a body provided with radiating legs, each said leg having an elongated slot therein defined by contiguous areas having detent recesses thereupon; and an adjustable support (mounted for movement in each of said slots and provided with a protrusion engageable with one .of said detent recesses to maintain said support in a selected position of adjustment .in its associated slot.

2. In a kiln support, the combination of: a body provided with radiating legs, each said leg having an elongated slot therein defined by contiguous areas having dettent recesses thereupon; and an adjustable support mounted formovement in each of said slots and provided withsa protrusion engageable with one of said detent reccsses to maintain said support in :a selected position of 8 adjustment in its associated slot and-with an extending object engaging portion.

3. In a kiln support, the combination of: ;a body provided with radiating legs, each said 'leg having an elongated slot therein defined .by contiguous areas having detent recesses thereupon; and an adjustable metal support mounted .for movement in :each of .said slots and provided with an integral protrusion engageable with one of said ,detent recesses to maintain said supportiina selected position of adjustment in its associated slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,610,111 Weaver Dec. 7., .1926

1,804,980 Hardesty May 512, 1931 1,914,967 Bebb June 20, 19.33

2,208,734 Schreibcr July 23., 31 940 2,574,878 Liversage Nov a3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain May ,13,, 11948 

